Lock



Feb. 20, m3.

W. c. GRAVES LOCK Filed 'Dec.

Patented Feb. 20, 19233.

B: n. It .3,

rarearo ea.

WILLIAM C. GBIE LVES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LOCK.

. Application filed DecemberB To all whom it iii-ay concern Be it known that l, VILLIAM C. GRAVES,

a citizen of the United'States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certan. new and useful Improvements in Locks, of which,

the following is a specification.

This invention "relates to improvements in looks and consists generally in the provision oi a lock vantages of the Yale lock and which embodiesa novel simplified arrangement and construction otparts which can be manu- :factured economically.

More specifically, the invention provides an improved arrangement. which is especially adapted to be embodied in a lock similar to the fiat cabinet type for useon mail boxes or the like, and which cannot be opened by using an exploring pick as is frequently the case with these smaller locks.

Other objects, advantages and uses of the invention will appear in the following description which will be read in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical sectionof a lock constructed in accordance with this invention, the view being taken on line 11 of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4; are vertical cross sections taken respectively on line 33 and l4; of Fig. 2, and Figs. 5 and 6 are elevational views of the key and assembled lock, respectively.

Throughout the views, the samereierence;

numerals are applied to the same parts, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. in the several views.

Referring to the drawing, the invention is illustrated, for the sake. of simplicity, as embodied in a padlock oi: substantially the convential form, shown in Fig. 6, comprising the usual rectangular casing 10 and a d shaped hasp or shackle-bolt 11 movable vertically with respectto the casing to open p0- sition when the proper key 12 has been in- ,serte'd and turned to' withdraw the latch or having the well-known ad 4, 1.921. Serial No. 524,589.

interposed between the lower [end of the hasp and; the'bottom wall of the lock casing 1S adapted in the usual way tolproject the hasp upwardly so that the shorter leg leaves the opening 18. The hasp in [the present instance is capable of being rotated,

understood that in other forms of locks the hasp is not present and one or more latch members constitute the sole locking means. The latches. 20 herein are shown operating in a plurality of bores 22 provided in a block 23 disposed at one side of the hasp adjacent the block 14., as appears in Fig. 2.

The latches 20 have recesses or grooves 24; formed in the sides thereof in which engage the reduced offset ends of a plurality of operating bars 25. If desired, the bars 25 may be made an integral part ofthe latches 20.. These bars are rec-iprocable in m formed in the side of the bloc-lr 14-, as shown in Fig. 2, and have their free ends offset variously, as illustrated, to overlie slightly the edges of a plurality of projections or lugs 27 formed about the sides of the openinc; 28 in a. plate 29.

for the bit 30 of the key 12 which has recesses 31 formed in its edges corresponding to the projections 27 in the plate 29. Buttons 32 in the walls of the casing 10 act as bearings for the stem 33 of the key 12 when the same has been inserted into the lock thro the keyhole or slot 34. The bit 31 oi the key is made to pass the ward member so that the bars 25 1nay be engaged and moved-to release the latches 20to open the lockin the usual way. It will heseen that lap the joint thus formed so that upon the further rotation of the key,.tlie bit passes the plate, actuates the bars and thus opens the lock.

"uideways 26 5 the plate 29 has been showii in dotted lines as indicative of the manner in which the plate 29 and the key 12 may be formed from a single blank. In this way the possibility of non-conformity of the bit of the key to the opening in the plate is reduced to a minimum.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the invention provides a unique form of lock of this kind which is practically inviolable and which lends itself to manufacture according" to the regular method of permutation in various forms as,

for example, in one hundred and twenty variations where five projections and recesses are used or seven hundred and twenty variations where six are used, and so on. Innumerable modifications are possible, however, by merely locating the recesses and projections unequal distances apart or by locating the recesses upon either or opposite sides of the bit of the key, and the projections likewise on either or opposite sides of the opening 28 in the plate 29 as illustrated.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that because the ward plate 29 is located as as the flat cabinet type lock previously mentioned or other locks and also particularly those which employlatch members only and wherein heaps and the like are not used.

The invention is capable of considerable modification without departure from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore to be understood that it is intended to embody in the appended claims legitimate variations which would occur to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates.

I claim as my invention:

1. Thecombination in a lock having a casing, of a locking latch, a bar to operate the same, a key member in ertable in said casing to actuate said bar, and a ward memher for said key member, one of said members having recesses formed therein. and the other having projections, said projections and recesses being complementary to permit the movement of said key member past said ward. member to actuate said latch operating bar.

2. The combination in a lock having a latch, a member for operating the, same. a key for actuating said member, and means between said key and operating member ar ranged to be passed by the key in its operating movement, said means including a pro jection on one of said relatively movable elements, a recess toreceive said projection formed in the other of said elements, said operating member being disposed so it laps the joint at the projection and recess when the proper key is used to open the lock whereby it may be actuated upon the relative movement of the elements to operate said latch.

3. The combination in'a lock having a latch member, a key to operate the same, said key being formed of sheet metal, and a member formed as of the same blank as said key interposed between said key and latch member whereby said latch cannot be operated excepting by said key.

at. The combination in a lock having a latch member, of a'key and a stationary ward member for the key, said key and ward member having interfitting projections and notches arranged when substantially complementary to permit of the movement of the key relative to the ward member to operate the latch member.

5. The combination in a lock having a casing, of a latch member, means adapted to be actuated to operate the same, a contoured key for actuating said means, and a member having an openingtherein the counterpart of the bit of said key whereby said member and key are interfittable to permit relative movement of the members I in the opening of the lock.

6. The combination in a lock having a casing, of a latch member, a key for operating the same, said casing having" a keyhole to receive said key. a. wardfmember disposed in front of: said latch member and arranged to be passed by said jke-y before the same operates said latch member, said ward member being disposed edgewise and towone side of said keyhole.

7. The combination in a lock con'lpris'ing, acasing having akeyhole therein and akey adaptedto be entered in said keyhole and rotated on a horizontal axis to operate the look. a latch member, a bit on said hey adapted to be revolved in a vertical. plane in the rotation of said key to operate said latch, means in'said casing individual to each lock arranged to intercept the operation of the bit unless the same is properly conformed to said means.

S. The combination in a lock comprising a casing having a keyhole therein, of latch membe in said casing operable rectilinearly at one side'thereof, a plurality of operating members connected to the latch ,members and extending therefrom toward the keyhole instaggered relation, anda key having a bit comprising portions adapted 1,4ae,25a

individually to engage each of said members to open the lock.

9. The combination in a lock comprisinga casing having a keyhole in the sidewall thereof and a key adapted to be entered in said keyhole to operate the lock, said key having a bit extending laterally from the stem thereof, of a latch member disposedin said casing to one side of said keyhole, a block for supporting and guiding the same, said member comprising an operating por tion projecting toward said keyhole, and a ward member disposed in said casing between the keyhole and said operating por tion, said member having an opening there in to correspond to the contour of the bit of the key whereby only a special bit may pass through said opening to operate said latch member.

10. The combination in a lock comprising a casing provided with a keyhole opening through a side wall thereof and a key adapted to be entered in said keyhole to operate the lock, said key having a bit extending transversely from the inner end of its stem,

of a latch member disposed in said casing and supported to move horizontally toward and away from said keyhole, said member comprising an operating portion projecting toward said keyhole and a member disposed in said casing in front of said operating portion provided with an opening contoured to the special bit of the key whereby only the special key may be entered into said lock to operate the same.

11. The combination in a lock comprising a casing having a horizontal keyway therein and a key adapted to be entered in said keyway to operate the lock, of a latch member, a ward plate at one side of said keyway between it and said latch member, said key having a bit portion projecting transversely from the stem thereof adapted to be moved into and past the plane of said plate in operating said latch'member, said plate having an opening therein to receive said bit and permit the passage thereof therethrough, said bit and the edges of said opening being provided with projections and recesses individual to each lock whereby only the special key will have a bit capable of passing through said opening, said latch member having operating portions projecting slightly into the opening in said plate andlapping the joint between the projections and recesses whereby said bit must correspond accurately to said opening to engage said portions to operate the latch.

12. The combination in a lock comprising a casing having a keyway therein and a key adapted to be entered in said keyway to rotate on a horizontal axis, of a latch member, a ward member in front of said latch member, said key having a bit portion on the inner end of its stem adapted'to be moved toward and past said ward member to oper ate said latch member, said ward member and the bit of said key having complementary conformations individual to each lock whereby only the special key will have a bit capable of passing said ward member, said latch members having operating portions projecting into the path of said bit portion to be operated by the same after the same passes said ward member. I

13. The combination in a lock comprising a casing having a keyhole therein, oflatah members in said casing, a plurality of operating members connected to the latch members and extending therefrom toward the keyhole, and a key having a bit comprising portions adapted individually to engage each of said members to open the lock- 14. In a l0ck,the combination of a casing having a pair of opposed walls, a locking member movable longitudinally between said walls and in a direction parallel thereto, a member fixed with reference to said casing, a member having one end operatively connected with said locking memberand its other end abutting the inner side of said fixed member, and a key adapted to engage said operating member as it clears said fixed member.

15. In a lock, the combination of a locking member, a spring normally holding said member in its locking position, and means for actuating said member against the tension of its spring including an operating member, a fixed member disposed in a posit-ion substantially perpendicular to the path of movement of said operating memher and adapted to permit of such movements with respect thereto, and a key having a notch therein adapted to clear said fixed member and'to engage said operative member.

16. In a lock, the combination of a looking element, a spring normally holding said element in its locking position, an operating member operatively associated with said element to move it, a fixed member abutting one side of said operating member at the free end of the latter, and a key having a notch therein adapted snugly to receive said fixed member while the key engages with the free end of the operating member at the base of its notch.

17. In a lock, the combination of locln'ng means, a plurality of operating membersfor said locking means, a member having a plurality of projections each adapted to engage with one side of operating member near one end of the latter, and a key having a plurality of notches therein adaptd to receive snugly the respective projections while the key engages the ends of said operating members at the bases of its notches.

18. In a lock, the combination of a casing, a member fixed transversely of the casing and having a plurality of projections,

locking means normally spring pressed into holding position, and operating means in cluding a plurality of members opera-tively associated with said locking means and abutting the free ends of said projections, and

WILLIAM C. GRAVES. 

